As with the previous book, I had fun reading this one and loved it more because I'm extremely fond of Anthony's character. He and Kate were well-matched, they had a lot in common and I love their witty arguments. The humor prevailed, but there were serious moments when the characters really come to life.

I especially liked the author's note about Anthony, where Julia Quinn made Anthony real. The shock of losing someone he loves that fast, the pain he suffered, and the responsibilities he carried as a viscount, son, and brother to his siblings - all these were written in great detail that I was able to grasp his situation, and feel for him.

In most of the stories I've read before set in the same time period, most fathers weren't Edmund Bridgerton, they just married to sire an heir, and it's unusual for a father to act the father role and dote on his children.

Kate on the other hand, was the usual shunned sister of the prettier one. They came at a bad start, there's Kate's animosity towards Anthony but he being himself, one can't help but love him, same goes with the rest of the Bridgertons. His fears were usual, but everything was resolved in a gradual manner. I love the Pall Mall game, it was hilarious! ( )

This is definitely a 5 star pick book. The Bridgerton family series is one of my favorite series and I've read all of Julia Quinn's books. This book is actually second in the series but was the first one I read. If you doubt me, I have to say this one was so good that I lent it to someone, never got it back and went out and bought a second copy because I love re-reading it so often.

Here is the short blurb from Julia Quinn's website:

Kate Sheffield is determined to keep Anthony Bridgerton from seducing her sister. But what if the notorious viscount decides to seduce her instead?

A few of the things I love are that this book makes you laugh. I'm not one of those into romance books that are mostly sex scenes. I like to have some story and a little extra something. If the book makes me laugh then it's usually one that makes it onto my keep shelves (Julie Garwood's historical romances are other books that do it for me too). I love Kate, the heroine in this book, because she isn't the beautiful woman, she isn't graceful and she can't play any instrument beautifully. She's also been known to leave her dancing partner with aching feet so how can you not love it when she catches the interest of the wealthy and handsome viscount who could have almost any woman he wants?

After reading this one I quickly went and bought up the rest of the books that were out at the time and anxiously awaited each new book. I will admit I didn't find the newer ones as good but it could be because my favorite siblings were Anthony, Colin and Benedict so of course those were my favorite stories in the series. If you love a good romance story and want some humor tossed in this is definitely one to pick up. ( )

One of my all-time favorites. The sparring between these two is just fantastic. I laughed and/or grinned through 90% of this book. The remaining 10% I spent making stupid “awwww” sorts of noises that annoyed my dog. Highly recommended. ( )

Lady Wombat says:

The second Bridgerton book, this one featuring Anthony, the eldest. Deciding to marry, he chooses the "Incomparable" of the season, but finds himself drawn to her less attractive and sharp-tongued sister. An old trope, but when combined with the humor of Quinn's writing, it shines. Here, the heroine as well as the hero have psychological issues that each helps the other overcome, in convincing fashion.

Great chemistry between main characters Kate and Anthony. In the first half of the novel, Kate showed great strength, however later in the novel she seems to lose that strength, which i though was a little disappointing. I love strong female characters in historical romance. ( )

Charming and utterly addicting. This is a the sweet story of how the oldest Bridgerton falls in love with a woman he 'despises.' Quinn is at her best when she's pitting hero and heroine against each other. ( )

The second book in the series about the Bridgerton family. Anthony Bridgerton, Viscount, knows he will not live long. His father died young, and Anthony is convinced he will not surpass his father in age. That is why he decides he must marry, to produce an heir that will carry on the title. And he's decided that Edwina Sheffield is the perfect wife and mother, and also perect because he knows that although he can respect her, and like her, he will never love her.

But, there's one little obstacle in his path to the altar, namely Kate Sheffield, Edwina's half-sister. Edwina is determined only to marry a man of whom Kate approves, but Kate thinks Anthony is a rake of the worst kind, and not suitable at all as husband material. So Anthony has to win over Kate in order to marry Edwina.

And to make matters worse, Anthony feels a spark when battling his will against Kate's, and he knows that she's dangerous for him, because she is a woman he could fall in love with...

This book is, once again, very funny, and not at all over the top romantic, but just right. It's a fun, light, and delightful read, and I highly recommend it. It could be read seperately from the first book, but one particular scene is much more fun if you've read the first book, and that same scene also includes a major spoiler for the first book, so I do recommend reading these books in order. ( )

When Anthony Bridgerton, a 'reformed' rake, decides to marry, his intended's sister does all she can to keep him from proposing - all while falling in love with him herself. The Bridgerton women (and the women the Bridgerton men marry) are wonderfully independent, intelligent and witty. Again, loads of fun, I really liked how headstrong and intelligent Kate is. The banter is clever and fun.

Viscount Anthony Bridgerton is convinced that he’s going to die at age 39. Why? Because that’s when his father died and Anthony just cannot imagine ever doing anything better than his father, who is his idol. And so he decides to marry a woman who he will not love but who will provide him with children, namely an heir to carry on the Bridgerton line, and companionship for the remaining short years of his life. He singles out Edwina Sheffield, who is pretty and biddable, but doesn’t count on Edwina’s older sister, Kate. Anthony quickly develops a strong dislike for Kate, not realizing immediately that it’s because he wants Kate for his own; and I think you can take the story from there.

Another charming romance from Julia Quinn here. I really enjoyed how the slow approach went with this couple; they’re attracted to each other, but they both mask it with firm dislike and hatred for some time, sort of protecting themselves from their own feelings, until they realize that they actually enjoy each other’s company. I didn’t realize that some men (and women) really do believe that they will die young just because one of their parents did, but apparently this is a documented psychological phenomenon. That’s one of the things I like about Quinn. These books could get very predictable, but she always has an edge to the story that is outside what you’d expect from a romance novel, whether it be the girl who is always second best, the mental barriers present here, or a different take on a common fairy tale as we’ll see in the next book. It’s very easy to get attached to these characters, especially when members of the family continue to turn up in each successive book. Very amusing and very recommended for the romantics among us.

http://chikune.com/blog/?p=349 ( )

Set in Regency Times, this is Anthony Bridgerton's story (older brother to Daphne Bridgerton from The Duke and I who has a few cameos in this book). Anthony believes it's high time he married and had an heir for he is convinced that he's going to die at a young age like his father. Now that Anthony is around 30 he goes looking for a bride and finds one, Edwina Sheffield. She's beautiful, young, untouched and the most popular girl of the season (and a secret bluestocking too). Her older sister, Kate, who is only 21, but virtually a spinster in society, takes an instant dislike to Anthony, who has had a scathing reputation as a rake (but really he's an honorable man). Anthony realizes to get to Kate's sister and her approval so that he can marry the younger sister.

http://ktleyed.blogspot.com/2008/08/v... ( )

The hero and heroine of the VISCOUNT WHO LOVED ME could be boring archetypes. Kate Sheffield is a plain virgin and the eponymous Viscount Anthony Bridgerton is a reformed rake. Quinn fleshes her characters out and makes their motives clear (and understandable to a rational person). Kate seems like nothing special because her half-sister Edwina is something special. She does not envy her sister and become bitter, but instead loves her and wishes to protect her, though she knows Eloise must marry for money rather than love. Fear rules Anthony.

Anthony's beloved father died young of a bee sting. Now Anthony fears both bees and dying the same age as his father. While he needs to produce an heir, he does not wish to marry for love because he knows how losing his father hurt his mother. He decides to marry this Season's Incomparable: Edwina. Kate, of course, wants better than a rake for her sister - no matter how rich.

Instead, a bee causes Kate and Anthony to be caught in a compromising position by a known gossip. They marry immediately, unsatisfied with the match. Quinn allows love to bloom between the two without resorting to deus ex machina. Not only does Kate and Anthony's relationship shine, but so do the familial relations and Edwina's own quieter romance.

The Bridgerton siblings are obvious fodder for a series. Yet their appearance in THE VISCOUNT WHO LOVED ME makes you want to read each of their individual tales. They seem like a real family, very competitive and teasing, instead of like characters to be rendered in three dimensions at a later date. When Kate sends Anthony's ball flying during a game of croquet, you know she is going to be comfortable with the family. Throughout the novel you can also see that Anthony's going to be a terrific father.

It could grate that he only wants a wife for her womb. (A common situation, especially in those days, but not one from which romances are made.) However, you see how much he loved his own father and how well he has served as a surrogate father for his younger siblings. The reader knows he will live a long life with Kate and their children, overcoming his fear of an early death.

Quinn also begins each chapter with a passage from the gossip column of Lady Whistledown. Witty and surprisingly kind, her observations create an excellent frame for the story. Readers can enjoy guessing the woman's identity. ( )

While not as light and skippity as the first book, this was still quite witty and charming - and the most amusing description of a croquet game I have ever read. And the bee sting made me laugh in a most unbecoming manner.
This is the story of Anthony, who is determined to woo the season's beauty, but ends up falling for her unconventional sister. And while that sounds like a standard plot summary, both Anthony and Kate continually squish any sign of cliché, they are interesting and original characters. Oh, and Kate is not at all a shrew. ( )

One of her best. ( )

You know, I hate the descriptions on the back of romance novels. They leave so much out and make the books sound so much sillier and pettier than they actually are. As they do with this book. But that's beside the point. As with the other two Julia Quinn novels I have reviewed to this point, this book was very good. I enjoy her writing style a great deal, although this book is a bit less "witty" than the other two - it certainly has its moments. I think one of the things I like best about Julia Quinn is how she makes her characters real. None of them are perfect - they all have their little foibles, which makes it easier for those of us who are not made to be in romance novels understand and relate that much better. Such as the fact that Kate can't dance. And she's a miserable musician. And she's figety. It just makes her human. Anthony is a wonderful tortured hero, as well, although in a much different way than Michael (When He Was Wicked) or Simon (The Duke And I). Truly an enjoyable book! I can't wait to read the rest! ( )

The Viscount Who Loved Me by Julia Quinn

1814 promises to be another eventful season, but not, This Author believes, for Anthony Bridgerton, London's most elusive bachelor, who has shown no indication that he plans to marry. And in all truth, why should he? When it comes to playing the consummate rake, nobody does it better...

-Lady Whistledown's Society Papers, April 1814

But this time the gossip columnists have it wrong. Anthony Bridgerton hasn't just decided to marry-he's even chosen a wife! The only obstacle is his intended's older sister, Kate Sheffield-the most meddlesome woman ever to grace a London ballroom. The spirited schemer is driving Anthony mad with her determination to stop the betrothal, but when he closes his eyes at night, Kate's the woman haunting his increasingly erotic dreams...

Contrary to popular belief, Kate is quite sure that reformed rakes to not make the best husbands-and Anthony Bridgerton is the most wicked rogue of them all. Kate's determined to protect her sister-but she fears her own heart is vulnerable. And when Anthony's lips touch hers, she's suddenly afraid she might not be able to resist the reprehensible rake herself...This is my third Julia Quinn book. She has a lovely light, fun writing style and I've found I enjoy her books when that's just what I'm looking for. It happens more often than I like at present, so it's a good thing Quinn has a nice, long backlist.

The Viscount Who Loved Me is the second in Quinn's Bridgerton family series and is a very nice addition. The idea of the man who choses a potential (and beautiful) bride and soon finds himself falling for the plain older sister has been done before (I love Georgette Heyer's Devil's Cub for example), but Quinn pulls it off nicely all the same. Kate and Anthony make a lovely couple and their courtship is a lot of fun, although I was a bit worried to find myself at three-for-three on the compromising position means marriage plot in my Quinn reading. This time, it's all a bit over the top and silly and Anthony, long traumatised by the death of his father, over-reacts when Kate is stung by a bee. All the same, a very pleasant story.

Bridgerton croquet is hysterical, by the way.

The Viscount Who Loved Me
Bridgetons, Book 2
Julia Quinn
7/10 ( )

READING NOTES by Brianna King

AUTHOR: Julia Quinn
TITLE: The Viscount Who Loved Me
GENRE: Romance
DATE READ: September 2007
PUB. DATE: 2000
PAGES: 352

APPEAL CHARACTERISTICS:

PACING: Quick and light

CHARACTERIZATIONS:

Main characters are Anthony Bridgerton, the most sought after bachelor of the year, and Kate Sheffield, who is known to be something of a shrew. Secondary characters are Edwina Sheffield, Kate’s younger sister and Lord Bridgerton’s intended wife, as well as various others of London’s high society.

Anthony Bridgerton: Eldest son of a Viscount who died rather young (30s), older brother to seven siblings, reprehensible rake, master of the house since his father died, has a strong fear of dying young like his father, decides he better get married before he dies to a woman he won’t fall in love with.

Kate Sheffield: Older sister of Edwina, who Lord Bridgerton decides he should marry, is seen by London society as a shrew destined to become a spinster, very protective of Edwina, is crazy about her dog Newton.

Edwina Sheffield: The belle of the season of London high society, has the looks and the temperament that men desire that Kate does not have, declares that she will not marry a man without her sister’s approval.

STORY LINE:
a. intent of author: fluffy, romantic novel

b. focus of story: character centered on Lord Bridgerton and Kate Sheffield

c. how is story constructed: straight line, moving towards Lord Bridgerton finding a bride and getting married

d. does story line amplify subject headings: no

FRAME:
a. language: Regency era light, not quite Jane Austen
b. setting: London and Kent, England, describes the rolling hills and gardens of Kent, the fancy houses and parties of London
c. detail: mostly describes the fashions and the fancy parties
d. tone: light, romantic, flirtatious, a bit ridiculous at times

PLOT SUMMARY:
Lord Bridgerton searches for a wife and has to deal with his intended’s meddlesome older sister.

GEOGRAPHICAL SETTING: Kent, England and London, England

TIME PERIOD: Regency Era

SERIES: The Bridgerton Series “The Duke and I” Vol. 1 2000 to “On the Way to the Wedding” Vol. 8 2006

SUBJECT HEADINGS: Regency Romances, Viscounts and viscountesses, 19th century England, Bridgerton family, men/women relations, family, sisters, brothers, independence in women.

SIMILAR AUTHORS: Johanna Lindsey, Stephanie Laurens, Eloisa James.

BOOK ANNOTATION:

Author Julia Quinn
Title The Viscount Who Loved Me
Publication date 2000
Number of pages 352
Geographic setting Kent, England; London, England
Time period Regency Era – London, England
Subject headings Regency Romances, Viscounts and viscountesses, 19th century England, Bridgerton family, men/women relations, family, sisters, brothers, independence in women.

Series notes The Bridgerton Series.
The Duke and I (2000)
The Viscount Who Loved Me (2000)
An Offer From a Gentleman (2001)
Romancing Mister Bridgerton (2002)
To Sir Phillip, With Love (2003)
When He Was Wicked (2004)
It’s In His Kiss (2005)
On The Way To The Wedding (2006)

The Bridgerton family members are the reoccurring characters.

Plot summary Reprehensible rake Lord Anthony Bridgerton decides that he should marry and sets his sights on Edwina Sheffield, the belle of the season among London’s high society. However, in order to marry her he must win the approval of Edwina’s older sister, Kate who has a very different opinion of who Edwina should marry. Edwina would be the perfect wife for Lord Bridgerton, but his dreams begin to feature Kate instead…
Appeal points

Storyline: A light and romantic story about an elusive bachelor on the hunt for a wife. Lord Bridgerton sets his sights on Edwina Sheffield, but soon discovers that he would rather battle wits with her older sister Kate.

Characterizations: Lord Bridgerton is aristocratic and standoffish, and is often described as the worst sort of rake. His passion for his family makes him bearable, and later endears him to the reader. Kate Sheffield is a proud, independent woman with a fierce protectiveness over her sister Edwina. She finds Lord Bridgerton unsuitable for her sister, but soon finds she is drawn to him herself though she is determined not to admit it.

Tone and Pacing: The tone is light and witty, and floats along like music. This makes for a quick paced read.

Annotation: Regency era romance about two people who are too proud to admit that they actually admire each other. Lord Bridgerton, a roguish viscount, decides to marry Edwina Sheffield, the belle of London high society. Edwina declares that she will not marry without her elder sister Kate’s approval, and thus Lord Bridgerton must try to win it. Kate and Lord Bridgerton engage in a number of battles of the wits, and soon Lord Bridgerton finds that it is not Edwina, but Kate that appears in his dreams…

1-3 Annotation: Witty Regency era romance about Lord Bridgerton who decides to marry Edwina Sheffield, much to her elder sister Kate’s dismay. Lord Bridgerton finds Kate to be shrewish and meddlesome at first, but begins to change his mind as he swallows some of his pride…

Similar works: “Say You Love Me” by Johanna Lindsey
“Much Ado About You” by Eloisa James
“On A Wicked Dawn” by Stephanie Laurens

Name of annotator: Brianna King

kate is such a hard-ass and tongue tier and anthony is an arrogant viscount. chemistry is too good. ( )

Synopsis: The Viscount Who Loved Me is the 2nd novel in Julia Quinn's Bridgertons series. It is the story of Anthony Bridgerton (the eldest of the Bridgerton siblings, also the Viscount) and Kate. Anthony is shopping for a wife - he doesn't care who, really - just someone to produce the requisite heir. He randomly picks Kate's younger sister, who happens to be the prettiest girl in town that year. The problem is, Kate takes an instant disliking to Anthony, and in order to woo her sister, he has to win Kate's approval. Kate, of course, turns out to be really pretty fun. Anthony finds he would rather spend time with her than the woman he is supposed to be courting.

I liked this one almost as much as I did The Duke and I.Our hero has an interesting hangup: he believes that he's not going to live past the age of 38. The story's not much to get excited over, but the characters are great. It's nice to see elements of vulnerability in the hero and heroine, and Quinn actually takes the time to illustrate why the characters have the hangups they do.

I rated this one in my LibraryThing catalog at 5 stars! ( )

Julia Quinn rarely lets me down and this book was no exception. I love her dialogue- it's snappy and it makes me laugh out loud in public. The hero's preoccupation with death seemed a little over the top to me, but Quinn explains it in an author's aside at the end of the book and I was able to accept that fear of dying a little easier. ( )

It's been a while since I have picked up a regency-set historical and read it with real enjoyment. I like my historical romances medieval or I usually don't like them at all (with a very few exceptions). So, I had Julia Quinn's THE VISCOUNT WHO LOVED ME in my TBR pile for a very long time, never really having interest in picking it up. But . . . I am SO glad I did. The wit and warmth in this book is phenomenal. Laughter is impossible to hold back in this book of lovable characters. From Kate, the opinionated heroine, to Anthony, the roguish hero, Newton the "I'll have you know he's a purebred Corgi," and of course, the ever-knowledgable, intruding Lady Whistledown, THE VISCOUNT WHO LOVED ME takes you into another time and gives a lighter side to a prim and proper era. (My particularly favorite scene was the Pall Mall scene. Talk about a riot, I could use a MALLET OF DEATH in my own home.) Kate Sheffield will do most anything to keep her beautiful, much sought after sister from marrying the ton's most notorious rake, but she hadn't considered falling for him as part of the bargain. Anthony and Kate's mutual disdain for one another gives way to a shared respect and enjoyment of their time spent together . . . and in a city full of matchmaking mama's, who would have thought it would be a teeny bee that would bring them together? I will definitely be looking for the Ms. Quinn's other titles. Thanks for getting me interested in this time period again! ( )